Jimmy White just wants to fight

Cardiff’s Jimmy White (0-2) is just desperate to fight after suffering several recent cancellations. The middleweight was due to appear on Steve Goodwin’s ‘Five of the Best’ show at York Hall on Saturday but he found out on fight week that it was cancelled. He said, “Three boys have pulled out, I almost lost count by the end. I only found out that the latest one has pulled out a few days before too. “I’m lucky I’ve got a fight coming up though, I’m down to fight on 11th of October in London on a Steve Goodwin show. I’m going to make up for it all when I do fight.” The 31-year-old ended 12 years of inactivity in July with one of the best four round contests fight fans in Wales have witnessed. Despite losing to Trelewis’ Luke Osman (4-12-1, 1KO) on points, White was more than happy with what he learned from the war. He said, “I’m chuffed about it. Even though I lost, I’m happy with it considering I haven’t fought for 12 years. It was a war, loved it. I was re-adapting to boxing again, it was everything I could have wished for, realistically like.” Prior to their first tear up, there was next to no expectation to please the crowd but White and Osman will have the burden of expectation in the rematch – scheduled for October 24th in Merthyr Tydil on Sanigar Events’ ‘Dragon Fire’ show. Unfazed, White said, “I had ring rust, that was a bit obvious because I had 12 years out of the ring. I enjoyed it though, it was a good fight. It’s got me used to fighting, like a short course in boxing, and I know what to expect next time. “All I knew is that he’s an upright boxer but he would be there to fight as well. Our styles suited each other, it was a good fight. It was a blood bath, felt a bit like a Rocky fight. I know all this for next time and I expect the same as anyone else who saw us fight in the summer.” Anyone who saw the first fight would assume that White and Osman hate each other but the reality is far from that, both get on as good as opponents who tore lumps out of each other could. Both White and Osman are fighters who pride themselves on their honesty, maybe that’s why both share such respect for each other and it was never more evident than in a chance encounter less than 24 hours after their first meeting. As a grin spread across his face, White explained the situation they shared, “I was sitting there, having my Frankie and Bennies after having been dieting for the fight, with my wife and kids… and the kids said, ‘ There’s the one you boxed” and pointed at him (Osman) in the middle of the restaurant. I went over and we shook hands, he’s a gentleman. Sportsmanship, that’s what boxing’s all about for me. “I respect him and he respects me but I expect another war because I come to fight and he does too. It’s not like he’s going to run from me. I’m more of a come-forward fighter but he’ll be there to have it with me. I know how he fights now but it’s all on the night, until that first bell goes you don’t know what happens.” In the headline contest, hometown hero Dai ‘Dutters’ Davies (11-23-2, 2KO) will defend his Welsh featherweight title against Ferndale’s Kris ‘Chuck’ Jones (4-14-2). The undercard includes Craig Kennedy, Barrie Jones, Tony Dixon, Dorian Darch, Jamie Evans, Morgan Jones, Darren Morgan, Danni Griffiths, Chris Ware and Lloyd Davies. Tickets are priced at £30 for unreserved seating, £50 for ringside seating and £65 for VIP table seating. For tickets call the Sanigar Events Box Office on 0117 949 6699. Doors open at 6:00pm and the first bell will sound at 6.30pm.